Manchester City closes in on Premier League title following 4-0 win over Aston Villa

Sydney: Manchester City has come within touching distance of clinching the Premier League title for the second time in three years following their 4-0 victory over Aston Villa on Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium, which brought them to the top of the rankings.

The win by Manuel Pellegrini's side, who leads Liverpool by only two points, eliminates third-place Chelsea from the title race and they can take away the silver if they avoid defeat at home to West Ham United on Sunday.

However, City can afford to draw as they have a goal-difference advantage of +13 over Liverpool, who host Newcastle United.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Villa resisted until the 64th minute at a sodden Etihad, but a quick-fire Edin Dzeko brace put the hosts ahead and late goals from Stevan Jovetic and Yaya Toure took City's goal tally to 100 in the league.

City has now won four games in succession, and they will have Chelsea's Premier League record of 103 goals in their sights against West Ham, the report added.